Alex Bugnon (born October 10, 1958) is a jazz pianist and composer from Montreux, Switzerland. He is a nephew of Donald Byrd.

Boney James is a renowned American saxophonist, composer, and producer who has made a significant mark in the world of contemporary jazz and R&B. Known for his smooth, melodic saxophone playing, James has been a staple in the smooth jazz genre for decades, blending jazz with elements of soul, funk, and pop to create his signature sound. His career took off in the early 1990s with the release of his debut album *Trust*, and since then, he has consistently topped jazz charts, earning multiple Grammy nominations and a loyal fanbase. His albums, like *Sweet Thing* and *Body Language*, are celebrated for their lush, sensual grooves and intricate musicianship.

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Boney James' ability to seamlessly fuse jazz with R&B has set him apart from many of his contemporaries. His collaborations with artists such as Faith Evans, Raheem DeVaughn, and Angie Stone have broadened his appeal, showing his versatility across genres. His smooth jazz compositions, often accompanied by vocals or R&B rhythms, provide listeners with a rich, layered listening experience. Albums like *Futuresoul* and *Solid* further demonstrate his evolution as an artist, where he continues to push boundaries while staying true to his roots in jazz and soul. Boney James’ impact on the jazz world is undeniable, as he remains one of the most successful and influential figures in contemporary jazz.

Jonathan Butler was Born and raised in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa, during Apartheid, Butler started singing and playing acoustic guitar as a child. Racial segregation and poverty during Apartheid has been the subject of many of his records. His first single was the first by a black artist played by white radio stations in the racially segregated South Africa and earned a Sarie Award, South Africa's equivalent to the Grammy Awards.He began touring at the age of seven when he joined a travelling stage show, and was later signed up to perform on a string of hit recordings, turning him into a local teen idol. In 1975, his cover of "Please Stay" by the Drifters reached number 2 in South Africa. The same year his cover of "I Love How You Love Me" by The Paris Sisters reached number 4. "I'll Be Home" reached number 16 in 1976.In 1978, he found the inspiration and encouragement to begin expressing himself as a composer and songwriter when he joined Cape Town's best known jazz/rock outfit, the Pacific Express. Two albums were recorded with the Express personnel, and some Pacific Express songs were later released on the 1988 7th Avenue album. All three releases were issued by Mountain Records.Butler was signed to CCP Records, a predecessor to Jive Records in 1977. He left the label to join Mountain Records after a few years. The manager of Mountain Records, Paddy Lee-Thorp was also Butler's manager and in the early 1980s they signed Jonathan to Jive Records and he moved to the United Kingdom, where he remained for seventeen years. His international breakthrough came in 1987 with his Grammy-nominated hit single, "Lies" which reached #27 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, and his cover version of the Staple Singers song "If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)" which he performed with Ruby Turner. His single "Lies", also reached the UK Official Singles Chart, peaking at number 18, spending 12 weeks, in total, in the top 100. In 2001, Butler was featured in a compilation album that was a jazz tribute to Bob Marley produced by Lee Ritenour, A Twist of Marley. Butler's contribution to the album was a jazz cover of No Woman No Cry.Butler maintained a loyal following in the 1980s and 1990s, in South Africa, the United States and Europe.